Chris Waddle told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport that Gareth Bale’s body language at Tottenham ‘doesn’t excite’ him.
The 31-year-old has hit the headlines, once again, recently after claiming that he will be heading back to Real Madrid next season, as posted by BBC Sport.
Perhaps many people expected that, but when the Tottenham technician claims that he returned to North London to get ‘match-fit’ for the Euros, it’s not going to exactly be met with a brilliant reaction.
And ex-England winger, Waddle, shared his thoughts on Bale’s current situation after those comments yesterday.
“He’s had a lot of injuries,” said Waddle. “I am not saying he’s had anything major. But a lot of niggly injuries for the last two or three years and I don’t think he has ever got back to that rhythm.
“And I can see why Real Madrid became fed up with him because he didn’t seem to rush to want to get back.
“Even when you watch his body language now. He had a little spell at Tottenham, okay it was the Europa League and some other games, but he’s not really come back on the scene where you have thought ‘wow’.
“He’s 31, not 34, 35 or 36. Whether mentally those injuries have taken their toll. Whether mentally he’s thinking ‘do I really need this?’. His body language doesn’t excite us when he’s warming up or coming on or off the field.”
It was understandable that Bale needed time to showcase his best form because he had hardly played for a number of years.
And if he can leave North London in a few months time by guiding the club to a trophy and a top-four finish then all will be forgiven about his recent comments.
But if his form continues to be up and down then the decision to bring Bale back to North London will be seen as a disaster.
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